Speaking of being 'green' if you are out in the world on this gorgeous day, be mindful of ticks and check yourself and/or your children for ticks after being out in the green (grass, fields, brush, lawns, etc) This time of year is the active 'dog tick' season, but 'deer tick' are possible anytime too. These are the two most common 'tick types' in Maine. (which has up to 14 species of ticks- not all of them bother humans- so most don't get a lot of press).
Dog ticks have silvery-whitish markings; like streaks (male) or horseshoe shaped (female). Deer ticks are dark with no light markings. Nymphs are tiny but adults are similar sized to dog ticks, so can be mistaken for one. Deer ticks are the notorious ones for potentially carrying Lyme Disease bacterium.
BITE PREVENTION is the BEST DEFENSE.
Interestingly, the same prevention measures for ticks apply to mosquitos too, another disease carrying biter. Only female mosquitos bite.
2 great info sites:
http://www.mmcri.org/lyme/ (about ticks in Maine)
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/_lyme/ (about ticks and mosquitos in Maine)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Authentic Greening
There is a difference between sincere greening and greening because it is a popular trend. Beware of companies that are using 'the green revolution' as a marketing ploy to sell you stuff you don't need. Buying what is not necessary is not green, whether the product is 'toxic' or not. It's capitalist and opportunistic-meant to make money instead of reducing consumption. Plus in unregulated industries (ie, the cleaners industry) 'non-toxic' is a meaningless term for the most part. It is poorly defined and open to situational interpretation.
Just because a product has green in its name (like Simple Green; Green Works, etc) does not mean it's green, a term that has no regulated meaning either. A company that puts green in a product name might be using a marketing ploy, unless they third party certify what they mean by the word.
Rule of thumb: The more heavily advertised or promoted (such as 'end aisle displays' in stores), a product is, the bigger the company and more money behind it. To me that means: beware.
It, like dreams, are not what they seem.
If you are in Southern Maine, enjoy this incredibly, mind-blowingingly (along with the wind), and remarkably gorgeous (and truly GREEN) day. Life really IS good. C Anne
Just because a product has green in its name (like Simple Green; Green Works, etc) does not mean it's green, a term that has no regulated meaning either. A company that puts green in a product name might be using a marketing ploy, unless they third party certify what they mean by the word.
Rule of thumb: The more heavily advertised or promoted (such as 'end aisle displays' in stores), a product is, the bigger the company and more money behind it. To me that means: beware.
It, like dreams, are not what they seem.
If you are in Southern Maine, enjoy this incredibly, mind-blowingingly (along with the wind), and remarkably gorgeous (and truly GREEN) day. Life really IS good. C Anne
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
What We Can Do Without
People have replaced personal experience and hands on knowledge (ie, learn by doing) with store bought solutions to everyday living. Corporations create perceived need where there isn't any. It leads to the constant 'new and improved' products that continually bombard the media.
Most people have no idea how few cleaners and cleaning paraphenalia they actually need. There are two things that can discipline you along this line. One is learning what is actually in all those cleaners (-they shouldn't even be called cleaners. they are actually polluters, contaminating your home instead of cleaning it).
The other thing that can limit the accumulation of cleaners and supplies is a lack of income. If you don't have it to spend, you don't 'spend it to have'.
When I was layed off I had to go into a conservative money mode. It was the best teacher to learn what I actually do need and what can easily be lived without- like, for example, most cleaners. I clean my house, automobile and (even) myself with very few things. This is good knowledge! It isn't the knowledge corporations want you to have. That alone should make people stand up and pay attention.
Most people have no idea how few cleaners and cleaning paraphenalia they actually need. There are two things that can discipline you along this line. One is learning what is actually in all those cleaners (-they shouldn't even be called cleaners. they are actually polluters, contaminating your home instead of cleaning it).
The other thing that can limit the accumulation of cleaners and supplies is a lack of income. If you don't have it to spend, you don't 'spend it to have'.
When I was layed off I had to go into a conservative money mode. It was the best teacher to learn what I actually do need and what can easily be lived without- like, for example, most cleaners. I clean my house, automobile and (even) myself with very few things. This is good knowledge! It isn't the knowledge corporations want you to have. That alone should make people stand up and pay attention.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Why Buy Industrial Solvents To Clean A Pan?
Store bought cleaners are unnecessarily harsh-designed to handle 'tough dirt and grease' in hard water conditions. Sorry, but how often are you dealing with that, unless your a mechanic? If you routinely maintain your home, it isn't contaminated with 'tough dirt and grease,' only the occasional cooking pan is. And that only if you allow it to dry and harden on. At me mum's for Mother's Day yesterday she grilled shish kabob in a broiler pan. The moisture from the veggies and marinating sauce really baked onto the pan. We simply soaked it in the sink with vinegar and baking soda while we ate. After the meal, even that pan was pretty easy to clean without resorting to industrial solvents to do it!
Fact is, most homes can be very effectively cleaned with mild cleaners. There are countries where cleaning 'supplies' aren't a $2 billion dollar a year industry. We are misinformed when told third world societies are 'backwards.' What does that really mean, anyway? Are 'forwards' countries like America better? Ones that are destroying life with their excessive manufacturing of things with the purpose only being to sell more stuff? C Anne
Fact is, most homes can be very effectively cleaned with mild cleaners. There are countries where cleaning 'supplies' aren't a $2 billion dollar a year industry. We are misinformed when told third world societies are 'backwards.' What does that really mean, anyway? Are 'forwards' countries like America better? Ones that are destroying life with their excessive manufacturing of things with the purpose only being to sell more stuff? C Anne
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Fabric Softeners & Dryer Sheets
Most people want fresh smelling, soft clothes. They are wonderful to put on and wear! How we get them fresh and soft determines our level of contribution to toxic build up in the environment.
Most people wash clothes using detergents, fabric softeners & dryer sheets- all of which load the environment with toxins while leaving harmful, slow releasing residues behind in the clothing.
To remedy this, buy or make clothing made from natural fibers; such as (organically grown) cotton (conventionally grown cotton is one of the most heavily damaging crops grown, due to the heavy fertilizer & pesticide use), wool, hemp, bamboo, jute, etc.
If you wear artificial or synthetic fibers (polyester, rayon, acetate, olefin, nylon,etc.), you will have a problem with smell (i think fake clothes stink) and static cling. Water needs 'softening' only if you live in an area with mineral-rich (aka 'hard') water. Such water is a challenge because the surface tension of the water molecules are harder to pierce, so residues can remain that leave your laundered clothes feeling unsoft. (so- know your water!) If it needs softening, use one of the following:
20 Mule Team Borax- does double duty- as a laundry booster and as a water softener. Use in wash and/or rinse cycles.
Glycerin - Mix 1 part glycerin to 16 parts water. Add a quarter cup to rinse cycle.
Vinegar - is a water softener. Add a half cup to rinse cycle.
If you want fresh smelling clothes-do your best to get access to a clothesline; for sun and wind dried clothes are the best 'scenting agents' you can get. If that isn't feasible, try the following:
Some people put essential oils (botanically derived essenses) in the rinse cycle. This imparts a scent (that you choose) to clothes. But if you then machine dry them, the scent evaporates. So, instead, hang the scented clothes to dry. Or, fill a spray bottle with distilled water, adding a few drops of essential oil. Shake and use as an ironing spray. Or, press clothes, then spray them with the scented water. Scent will linger nicely.
Then, inhale deeply, knowing you can do so without damaging your lungs. Thanks for nixing the fabric softeners and dryer sheets and going 'au naturale'.
C. Anne
Most people wash clothes using detergents, fabric softeners & dryer sheets- all of which load the environment with toxins while leaving harmful, slow releasing residues behind in the clothing.
To remedy this, buy or make clothing made from natural fibers; such as (organically grown) cotton (conventionally grown cotton is one of the most heavily damaging crops grown, due to the heavy fertilizer & pesticide use), wool, hemp, bamboo, jute, etc.
If you wear artificial or synthetic fibers (polyester, rayon, acetate, olefin, nylon,etc.), you will have a problem with smell (i think fake clothes stink) and static cling. Water needs 'softening' only if you live in an area with mineral-rich (aka 'hard') water. Such water is a challenge because the surface tension of the water molecules are harder to pierce, so residues can remain that leave your laundered clothes feeling unsoft. (so- know your water!) If it needs softening, use one of the following:
20 Mule Team Borax- does double duty- as a laundry booster and as a water softener. Use in wash and/or rinse cycles.
Glycerin - Mix 1 part glycerin to 16 parts water. Add a quarter cup to rinse cycle.
Vinegar - is a water softener. Add a half cup to rinse cycle.
If you want fresh smelling clothes-do your best to get access to a clothesline; for sun and wind dried clothes are the best 'scenting agents' you can get. If that isn't feasible, try the following:
Some people put essential oils (botanically derived essenses) in the rinse cycle. This imparts a scent (that you choose) to clothes. But if you then machine dry them, the scent evaporates. So, instead, hang the scented clothes to dry. Or, fill a spray bottle with distilled water, adding a few drops of essential oil. Shake and use as an ironing spray. Or, press clothes, then spray them with the scented water. Scent will linger nicely.
Then, inhale deeply, knowing you can do so without damaging your lungs. Thanks for nixing the fabric softeners and dryer sheets and going 'au naturale'.
C. Anne
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